Craft Focus - August/September 2020 (Issue 80)

12 Staff changes at edding UK At the end of June, edding UK managing director Barry Hall retired. In his 20 years at the helm Barry achieved significant success managing, steering and implementing strategies that delivered sustainable growth and development for the UK business. He goes into his retirement with the company’s deep gratitude and sincere thanks. Barry informed of his decision to retire last year, affording edding plenty of time to formulate a succession plan and the team is delighted to announce that Andy Gutteridge (director of strategy and marketing) is deservedly promoted and will take over as UK managing director. Andy has worked closely with Barry for a number of years, he has a deep knowledge of the local company and the industry in general. Finally, completing the new edding UK management structure, Robert Turner (finance manager) is promoted to finance director and welcomes onboard Nick Prazsky (formally of 3M) in the newly created position of sales director. And the winner is… When the United Kingdom entered the ‘lockdown’ Metallic Elephant, like many other companies, individuals and institutions was faced with a new set of challenges including an almost stop to trading. Being die makers and machine manufacturers of hot foil presses, the company’s focus was split on two fronts and whilst the machine manufacturing side all but stopped, dies were still needed to support the printing industry so part of the company was furloughed and some of the staff remained working. Whilst more than nine million staff in the UK were furloughed, including many in the craft industry, Metallic Elephant wanted to show that it wanted to help and created a competition for all budding designers and craft individuals called a ‘Time to shine’. The concept was simple: make a short video to tell the company why you should have any of its machines - the best entrant would receive one and support for the coming year to ensure the best possible start for the winner’s new company. There were many entrants with different stories; people working two jobs, people made redundant, those who just finished university, people wanting to start a business but not having the capital, to name a few. The team at Metallic Elephant, led by co-founders, husband and wife, Karl and Ros French were overawed with the attention to detail and the shear enthusiasm by the entrants during this trying time for the country. Spirits were raised and ultimately a winner had to be crowned, and one lucky lady, Tara Barney was the new owner of a KSF Series 3 hot foil press for her stationery company, Barney and Co. Hopefully the remainder of the year and 2021 will see the growth of this company and will certainly be one to watch with interest. Karl and Ros who were aspiring individuals themselves back in 2007 when they started Metallic Elephant, are always keen to support a range of clients whether it’s the big established brand or the new to the industry, with their focus to spread the word about hot foil and share their passion for it. For further information, call +44 (0)1206 251 221 or visit the website www.metallicelephant.co.uk